TIMARU.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 12, 20 March 1902, Page 20

TIMARU.

(From our own correspondent.) St. Patrick's Day was ushered in with a sou-wester with the usual rain accompaniment, which continiud all day, making every attempt at outdoor holiday-making a miserable Jailure. The children, accompanied by iht ir teachers and several of their parents, assisted at Mass at 8 45 a m., and aftei wards proceeded to the railway station where a special train was waiting to convey them to 'leinuka The weather renderii'g all outdoor enjoyment impossible the Temuka Volunteer Drill Shed was secured, and here ihe excursionists made merry and had a very happy time throughout the day. A capital pports programme was gone through, the Bpacious drill shed affording ample accommodation. r J he children enjoyed, themselves thoroughly, the number and variety of the prizes contributing larerely towards that result. Amongst the many items on the programme for the elder portion of the holidaymakers may be mentioned the Ladies' Tug of War — Married v. Single — a most exciting tussle, resulting in a victory for the married ladies. A move was made for home at 5.45 p.m., the train arriving in Timaru shortly after (5 p.m., all agreeing that, under the circumstances, a more enjojaole day could not have been spent. The Rev. Father Tubman and the Brothers were indefatigable in their efforts to keep the youug people busy, and were very ably assisted by Messrs. 61. Mahony, T. Mara, J. Yenning, and J. P. Fitzgerald (hon. sec). In the evening a national concert was held in the Theatre Royt.l. The weather, with cool irony, became remarkably fine shortly before seven, and on the doors being opened the theatre was soon filled. The programme was somewhat lengthy, but made up for thai fault by its excellence end quality. The opening was a selection by Mr Langdon's orchestra. Mr J fferson opened the vocal pare with 'The t'ruiskeen Lawn.' an old number, securing hearty applause. Mrs Lynch was heartily encored for her choice rendering of 'The harp that once,' and for an encore gave the evergreen ' Killarney.' Later on this popular favorite sang • The meeting of the waters.' In the ' Sprig of shillelagh ' Dr. Reid brought

down the house. ' The Irish emigrant,' by Mrs. King, who made her debut to a Tirnaru audience,- was capitally rendered. Mr Gilchrist, who is always a favorite at a Sfc. Patrick's concert, happily struck the taste of the audience in his selection of ' O'Donnell Abu,' which he rendered with the vigor necessary for the martial air, and in response to a vociferous encore gave ' The dear little shamrock,' an item he always does justice to. Miss Campbell fairly took the house by surprise by the naive manner in which she rendered ' Thady O'Flynn,' singing ' Kitty of Coleraine ' as an encore. Mr Ei by sung ' Aethore,' and received a well-merited encore, while Mr Benuet, in Lover's comic ballad, ' I'm not me'self at all, Molly dear,' convulsed the house by his humorous rendition, and was, of course, encored. A pianoforte duet (two pianos) by Miss E. IVTcGuinness and Mias Nellie Ey;an (National airs) and a qiartette (two pianop) by Miss E. McGuinne^, M. Yenning. N. E>-an, and E. Dennehy were rendered during intervals, and much appreciated. Miss E. McGuinness and Mrs. (Dr ) Reid acted as accompanists to the songs, An innovation was introduced by an eight-hand reel. The performers were carefully trained, and went through the intricate figures very gracefully and with confidence and eat-e. Mr W. Fitzgerald coached the performer.-', who were as follows : Misses K. Fitzgerald, A. and M. Goulding, K. Mullaly and Masters T. Kelly T. Hertnon, G. Fitzgerald, and E. Yenning. Mr Mullaly supplied the music on the violin. The second jiart of the programme was commenced by an overture from ' Maritana. and was followed by a play in one act entitled 'My lord in livery,' in which the prineip*l characters were taken by Messrß. F. Macdonald, A. Smith, (\ Healey, Master E. Dennehy, and Misses A. McGowaa. McDonald, and X Mara. The performers were well up in their parts and were decidedly much above the amateur standard. The concert concluded by the orchestra playing ' God save Ireland.' Father Le Petit superintended the getting up of the play, the Rev. Father Aubry and M'ss E. McGuinness the concert, and Rev. Father Tubman arranged for the excursion. The Garrison Band kindly played through the town and in front of the theatre before the concert, adding another to many similar previous acta of kindness.